Exercise RecoveryPORK-FIRENCT07819565
Effects of Pork Protein on Recovery Following Simulated Fireground Activity
A study testing Pork-Based Protein Ready-to-Eat Meals, Plant-Based Protein Ready-to-Eat Meals and Carbohydrate-Focused Lower-Protein Ready-to-Eat Meals in people with Exercise Recovery and Physical Performance Parameters, run by Sam Houston State University at 2 sites in United States.
Trial summary
The goal of this clinical trial is to learn whether consuming pork-based protein before and after physically demanding simulated firefighting activities can improve recovery, physical performance, and cognitive performance in healthy adult firefighters. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 60 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Exercise Recovery, Physical Performance Parameters, Muscle Damage
- What is being tested?
- Pork-Based Protein Ready-to-Eat Meals, Plant-Based Protein Ready-to-Eat Meals and Carbohydrate-Focused Lower-Protein Ready-to-Eat Meals
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 20 participants
- Where
- 2 sitesUnited States
- Study dates
- 1 Jun 2026to 31 Dec 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 60 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- 18 to 60 years of age
- Current trained male or female firefighter with the Fort Worth Fire Department
- Able to comply with all study procedures and the study timeline
- Willing to consume only the study-provided ready-to-eat meals (RTEM) during designated study periods
- Willing to refrain from alcohol, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), aspirin, and over-the-counter pain medications for 48 hours before testing sessions
- Available to complete the study visits and required testing procedures
Who cannot join
- Younger than 18 years or older than 60 years
- Not a current firefighter with the Fort Worth Fire Department
- Pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant during the study
- Orthopedic or musculoskeletal limitations that prevent safe completion of the vertical jump or simulated fire ground test
- Use of weight-loss dietary supplements or medications within the previous 2 weeks
- Unwilling to refrain from alcohol, NSAIDs, aspirin, or over-the-counter pain medications for 48 hours before testing sessions
Show all 9Show fewer
- Unwilling or unable to consume only the study-provided RTEM during designated study periods
- Heavy smoking, defined as more than 1 pack of cigarettes per day during the previous 3 months
- Allergy to any of the protein sources or study foods
Trial locations and contacts
2 sites in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
United States2 sites, 2 recruiting
- Recruiting
Bob Bolen Public Safety Complex Administration
Fort Worth, Texas, 76115
Drew E Gonzalez, PhD, 2107888616, drewgonzalez418@shsu.edu
Brain Newman, PhD, 360-393-5702, Brian.Newman@fortworthtexas.gov
- Recruiting
Sam Houston State University
Huntsville, Texas, 77340
Drew E Gonzalez, PhD, 2107888616, drewgonzalez418@shsu.edu
Andrew Wolfe, EdD
About this study
Official title: Effects of Pork Protein Ingestion Before and Following Performing a Simulated Fire Ground Test on Markers of Catabolism, Inflammation, and Recovery
The goal of this clinical trial is to learn whether consuming pork-based protein before and after physically demanding simulated firefighting activities can improve recovery, physical performance, and cognitive performance in healthy adult firefighters. The study will also compare pork-based protein meals with plant-based protein meals and a carbohydrate-focused control condition.
The main questions this study aims to answer are:
Read more
Does consuming pork-based protein reduce changes in markers of muscle damage, physiological stress, and muscle soreness following a simulated fire ground test?
Does consuming pork-based protein help maintain or improve physical and cognitive performance during recovery compared with plant-based protein and a carbohydrate-focused control condition?
Researchers will compare three ready-to-eat meal conditions: pork-based protein, plant-based protein, and a carbohydrate-focused control condition. Each participant will complete all three conditions in a randomized crossover design, with 14 to 21 days between conditions.
Read the detailed description
Firefighting is a physically and cognitively demanding occupation characterized by repeated exposure to strenuous activity, heat stress, heavy personal protective equipment, and time-sensitive occupational tasks. These demands can produce substantial physiological stress and fatigue that may influence recovery and readiness for subsequent occupational activities. Despite the importance of maintaining readiness between demanding events, relatively little is known about how short-term dietary strategies, particularly protein source and intake, influence recovery in career firefighters.
This study will examine the effects of short-term consumption of ready-to-eat meals (RTEM) differing in protein source and quantity on physiological recovery and occupational performance following strenuous simulated firefighting activity. The study uses a randomized, double-blinded, repeated-measures crossover design in healthy adult career firefighters. Participants will complete three experimental conditions separated by a 14- to 21-day washout period. The dietary conditions consist of pork-based protein RTEM, plant-based protein RTEM, and a carbohydrate-focused lower-protein control condition. The pork- and plant-based conditions are designed to provide comparable energy and macronutrient intake while allowing investigation of potential differences associated with protein source.
During each experimental condition, participants will complete a simulated fire ground test (FGT) consisting of nine occupationally relevant firefighting tasks while wearing personal protective equipment and a self-contained breathing apparatus. The FGT includes hose deployment and pulling, charged hose deployment, equipment carrying, a low-room search, forcible entry, ladder carrying, stair climbing and hose hoisting, ceiling breach activities, and a victim-dummy drag. Measures of FGT completion time, heart rate, air consumption, and work efficiency will be collected to characterize occupational performance and physiological demand.
Recovery will be evaluated before the simulated firefighting activity and during the subsequent recovery period. Assessments will characterize blood-based markers of catabolism, immune stress, muscle damage, and clinical safety, as well as muscle soreness, mood, cognitive function, vertical jump performance, and subsequent occupational performance.
The primary hypothesis is that the pork-based RTEM condition will attenuate catabolic responses, immune stress, muscle damage, soreness, and perceptions of fatigue following the FGT while supporting the maintenance or recovery of cognitive and physical performance. The inclusion of plant-based protein and carbohydrate-focused control conditions will help determine whether recovery responses differ according to dietary protein source and protein quantity.
The findings are intended to provide preliminary evidence regarding practical, food-based nutritional strategies that may support recovery and occupational readiness among firefighters following strenuous firefighting activity.
- Conditions
- Exercise Recovery, Physical Performance Parameters, Muscle Damage, Cognition, Blood Biomarkers, Stress
- Being tested
- Pork-Based Protein Ready-to-Eat Meals, Plant-Based Protein Ready-to-Eat Meals, Carbohydrate-Focused Lower-Protein Ready-to-Eat Meals
- Keywords
- Firefighters, Pork Protein, Dietary Protein, Ready-to-Eat Meals, Tactical Athletes, Fireground Test, Occupational Performance, Exercise Recovery, Muscle Soreness, Cognitive Performance
- Medical subject headings
- Myalgia
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Pork-Based Protein Ready-to-Eat MealsOther
Pork-Based Protein Ready-to-Eat Meals: Participants will consume study-provided ready-to-eat meals (RTEM) in which lean pork serves as the primary protein source. Meals are designed to provide approximately 700 - 800 kcal, 80 g carbohydrate, 50 g protein, and 30 g fat per meal, with total daily protein intake targeted at approximately 1.4-2.0 g/kg/day. Pork-based meals will be provided during the approximately 3-day experimental period surrounding the simulated fire ground test and subsequent recovery assessments. Meals are designed to match the energy and macronutrient content of the plant-based protein condition.
Plant-Based Protein Ready-to-Eat MealsOther
Plant-Based Protein Ready-to-Eat Meals: Participants will consume study-provided ready-to-eat meals (RTEM) in which plant-based foods serve as the primary protein source. Plant protein sources may include soy, tempeh, tofu, and other soy-based foods. Meals are designed to provide approximately 700 - 800 kcal, 80 g carbohydrate, 50 g protein, and 30 g fat per meal, with total daily protein intake targeted at approximately 1.4-2.0 g/kg/day. Plant-based meals will be provided during the approximately 3-day experimental period surrounding the simulated fire ground test and subsequent recovery assessments and will be matched as closely as feasible to the pork-based condition for energy and macronutrient content.
Carbohydrate-Focused Lower-Protein Ready-to-Eat MealsOther
Carbohydrate-Focused Lower-Protein Ready-to-Eat Meals: Participants will consume study-provided carbohydrate-focused ready-to-eat meals (RTEM) designed to provide a lower total daily protein intake of approximately 0.8 g/kg/day. This condition serves as the lower-protein dietary control for comparison with the pork-based and plant-based higher-protein conditions. Meals will be provided during the approximately 3-day experimental period surrounding the simulated fire ground test and subsequent recovery assessments.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Pork-Based Protein Ready-to-Eat Meals | Experimental | Participants will consume pork-based protein ready-to-eat meals (RTEM) during this experimental condition. Meals will provide approximately 700.- 800 kcal, 80 g carbohydrate, 50 g protein, and 30 g fat per meal, with lean pork serving as the primary protein source. The dietary intervention is designed to provide a total daily protein intake consistent with study targets. Participants will consume the study-provided meals surrounding the simulated fire ground testing and recovery period, with physiological, cognitive, and physical performance outcomes assessed during recovery. Receives: Other: Pork-Based Protein Ready-to-Eat Meals |
| Plant-Based Protein Ready-to-Eat Meals | Active comparator | Participants will consume plant-based protein ready-to-eat meals (RTEM) during this comparator condition. Meals will be designed to approximate the energy and macronutrient content of the pork-based condition, providing approximately 700-800 kcal, 80 g carbohydrate, 50 g protein, and 30 g fat per meal, with plant-based foods such as soy, tempeh, or tofu as the primary protein sources. Participants will consume the study-provided meals surrounding the simulated fire ground testing and recovery period, with the same physiological, cognitive, and physical performance outcomes assessed. Receives: Other: Plant-Based Protein Ready-to-Eat Meals |
| Carbohydrate-Focused Lower-Protein Control | Active comparator | Participants will consume carbohydrate-focused ready-to-eat meals during the control condition. This condition will provide a lower total daily protein intake of approximately 0.8 g/kg/day and will serve as a dietary control for comparison with the higher-protein pork-based and plant-based conditions. Participants will consume the study-provided meals surrounding the simulated fire ground testing and recovery period, with the same physiological, cognitive, and physical performance outcomes assessed. Receives: Other: Carbohydrate-Focused Lower-Protein Ready-to-Eat Meals |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Change in Testosterone and Cortisol
Serum testosterone and cortisol concentrations will be measured to characterize anabolic and catabolic hormonal responses following the simulated fire ground test. Changes in testosterone, cortisol, and the testosterone-to-cortisol ratio will be compared across dietary conditions.
Measured: Baseline, 24, 48, and 72 hours following the simulated fire ground test
Change in Serum Creatine Kinase
Serum creatine kinase (CK) concentration will be measured as a marker of muscle damage and recovery following the simulated fire ground test. Changes in CK will be compared across the pork-based protein, plant-based protein, and carbohydrate-focused lower-protein dietary conditions.
Measured: Baseline, 24, 48, and 72 hours following the simulated fire ground test
Change in Perceived Muscle Soreness
Participants will report perceived muscle soreness to characterize subjective recovery following the simulated fire ground test. Muscle soreness responses will be compared across dietary conditions.
Measured: Pre-fire ground test and 24, 48, and 72 hours of recovery
Fire Ground Test Completion Time
Total time required to complete the simulated fire ground test (FGT) will be recorded as a measure of occupational firefighting performance. The FGT consists of standardized firefighting-related tasks performed while wearing personal protective equipment and a self-contained breathing apparatus.
Measured: During each simulated fire ground test on Day 1 (baseline) and Day 4 (72 hour mark)
Secondary outcomes (5)
Change in Complete Blood Count With Differential
A complete blood count (CBC) with differential will be assessed to characterize hematological responses and monitor clinical safety across the experimental conditions. Measures will include standard hematological indices and leukocyte differential components reported by the clinical laboratory.
Measured: Baseline, 24, 48, and 72 hours following the simulated fire ground test
Change in Comprehensive Metabolic Panel
A comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP) will be assessed to characterize metabolic responses and monitor clinical safety across the experimental conditions. Standard CMP components, including markers related to renal and hepatic function, electrolytes, glucose, and protein status, will be evaluated as reported by the clinical laboratory.
Measured: Baseline, 24, 48, and 72 hours following the simulated fire ground test
Food Satisfaction
Participants will report satisfaction with the study-provided ready-to-eat meals to characterize acceptability of each dietary condition.
Measured: At Baseline, 24, 48, and 72 hours
Heart Rate During the Fire Ground Test
Heart rate will be monitored during the simulated fire ground test to characterize cardiovascular demand during occupational firefighting activity.
Measured: During each simulated fire ground test on Day 1 (baseline) and Day 4 (72 hour mark)
Change in Vertical Jump Performance
Vertical jump performance will be assessed as an indicator of lower-body neuromuscular performance and recovery following the simulated fire ground test. Performance will be compared across dietary conditions.
Measured: Pre-fire ground test on Day 1 and Day 4
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted15 Sep 2026
- Study start1 Jun 2026
- Primary completion30 Nov 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion31 Dec 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (3)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Exercise RecoveryStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Crossover
- Masking
- Double blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Investigator
- Enrolment
- 20 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Sam Houston State University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- National Pork Board
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Drew Gonzalez, Sam Houston State University
- Investigators
- Drew E Gonzalez, PhD, Principal investigator, Sam Houston State University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07819565
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- IRB-2025-396
- Other IDs
- NPB PR-006290
- Acronym
- PORK-FIRE
- Status last verified
- Sep 2026
- First submitted
- 8 Sep 2026
- Last updated
- 15 Sep 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Undecided: Individual participant data (IPD) will not be made publicly available. Requests for de-identified participant-level data may be considered on a case-by-case basis following publication of the primary study findings. Interested researchers may contact the corresponding author to inquire about data availability. Any sharing of data will be contingent upon the nature and purpose of the request, protection of participant confidentiality, applicable informed consent provisions, and approval or authorization as required by Sam Houston State University, the Institutional Review Board, the funding agency, and/or other applicable agreements or policies. Accordingly, a final determination regarding IPD sharing has not been made at this time.
Publications
Ferrando AA, Wolfe RR, Hirsch KR, Church DD, Kviatkovsky SA, Roberts MD, Stout JR, Gonzalez DE, Sowinski RJ, Kreider RB, Kerksick CM, Burd NA, Pasiakos SM, Ormsbee MJ, Arent SM, Arciero PJ, Campbell BI, VanDusseldorp TA, Jager R, Willoughby DS, Kalman DS, Antonio J. International Society of Sports Nutrition Position Stand: Effects of essential amino acid supplementation on exercise and performance. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2023 Dec;20(1):2263409. doi: 10.1080/15502783.2023.2263409. Epub 2023 Oct 6.
PubMed 37800468Gonzalez DE, McAllister MJ, Waldman HS, Ferrando AA, Joyce J, Barringer ND, Dawes JJ, Kieffer AJ, Harvey T, Kerksick CM, Stout JR, Ziegenfuss TN, Zapp A, Tartar JL, Heileson JL, VanDusseldorp TA, Kalman DS, Campbell BI, Antonio J, Kreider RB. International society of sports nutrition position stand: tactical athlete nutrition. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2022 Jun 23;19(1):267-315. doi: 10.1080/15502783.2022.2086017. eCollection 2022.
PubMed 35813846Gonzalez DE, Hines KE, Sowinski RJ, Estes L, Johnson SE, Chun J, Lee H, Leon S, Gil A, Ko J, Broeckel J, Barringer ND, Rasmussen CJ, Kreider RB. Effects of Pork Protein Ingestion Prior to and Following Performing the Army Combat Fitness Test on Markers of Catabolism, Inflammation, and Recovery. Nutrients. 2025 Jun 13;17(12):1995. doi: 10.3390/nu17121995.
PubMed 40573107
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 15 Sep 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effects of Pork Protein Ingestion Before and Following Performing a Simulated Fire Ground Test on Markers of Catabolism, Inflammation, and Recovery
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07819565
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- PORK-FIRE / IRB-2025-396
- Conditions
- Exercise Recovery, Physical Performance Parameters, Muscle Damage, Cognition, Blood Biomarkers, Stress
- Keywords
- Firefighters, Pork Protein, Dietary Protein, Ready-to-Eat Meals, Tactical Athletes, Fireground Test, Occupational Performance, Exercise Recovery
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 20 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Sam Houston State UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- National Pork Board
- Study start
- 1 Jun 2026 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 30 Nov 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 31 Dec 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 15 Sep 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The goal of this clinical trial is to learn whether consuming pork-based protein before and after physically demanding simulated firefighting activities can improve recovery, physical performance, and cognitive performance in healthy adult firefighters. The study will also compare pork-based protein meals with plant-based protein meals and a carbohydrate-focused control condition.
The main questions this study aims to answer are:
Does consuming pork-based protein reduce changes in markers of muscle damage, physiological stress, and muscle soreness following a simulated fire ground test?
Does consuming pork-based protein help maintain or improve physical and cognitive performance during recovery compared with plant-based protein and a carbohydrate-focused control condition?
Researchers will compare three ready-to-eat meal conditions: pork-based protein, plant-based protein, and a carbohydrate-focused control condition. Each participant will complete all three conditions in a randomized crossover design, with 14 to 21 days between conditions.
Detailed description
Firefighting is a physically and cognitively demanding occupation characterized by repeated exposure to strenuous activity, heat stress, heavy personal protective equipment, and time-sensitive occupational tasks. These demands can produce substantial physiological stress and fatigue that may influence recovery and readiness for subsequent occupational activities. Despite the importance of maintaining readiness between demanding events, relatively little is known about how short-term dietary strategies, particularly protein source and intake, influence recovery in career firefighters.
This study will examine the effects of short-term consumption of ready-to-eat meals (RTEM) differing in protein source and quantity on physiological recovery and occupational performance following strenuous simulated firefighting activity. The study uses a randomized, double-blinded, repeated-measures crossover design in healthy adult career firefighters. Participants will complete three experimental conditions separated by a 14- to 21-day washout period. The dietary conditions consist of pork-based protein RTEM, plant-based protein RTEM, and a carbohydrate-focused lower-protein control condition. The pork- and plant-based conditions are designed to provide comparable energy and macronutrient intake while allowing investigation of potential differences associated with protein source.
During each experimental condition, participants will complete a simulated fire ground test (FGT) consisting of nine occupationally relevant firefighting tasks while wearing personal protective equipment and a self-contained breathing apparatus. The FGT includes hose deployment and pulling, charged hose deployment, equipment carrying, a low-room search, forcible entry, ladder carrying, stair climbing and hose hoisting, ceiling breach activities, and a victim-dummy drag. Measures of FGT completion time, heart rate, air consumption, and work efficiency will be collected to characterize occupational performance and physiological demand.
Recovery will be evaluated before the simulated firefighting activity and during the subsequent recovery period. Assessments will characterize blood-based markers of catabolism, immune stress, muscle damage, and clinical safety, as well as muscle soreness, mood, cognitive function, vertical jump performance, and subsequent occupational performance.
The primary hypothesis is that the pork-based RTEM condition will attenuate catabolic responses, immune stress, muscle damage, soreness, and perceptions of fatigue following the FGT while supporting the maintenance or recovery of cognitive and physical performance. The inclusion of plant-based protein and carbohydrate-focused control conditions will help determine whether recovery responses differ according to dietary protein source and protein quantity.
The findings are intended to provide preliminary evidence regarding practical, food-based nutritional strategies that may support recovery and occupational readiness among firefighters following strenuous firefighting activity.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Crossover
- Masking
- Double blind (participant, investigator)
- Number of arms
- 3
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Pork-Based Protein Ready-to-Eat Meals | Experimental | Other: Pork-Based Protein Ready-to-Eat MealsParticipants will consume pork-based protein ready-to-eat meals (RTEM) during this experimental condition. Meals will provide approximately 700.- 800 kcal, 80 g carbohydrate, 50 g protein, and 30 g fat per meal, with lean pork serving as the primary protein source. The dietary intervention is designed to provide a total daily protein intake consistent with study targets. Participants will consume the study-provided meals surrounding the simulated fire ground testing and recovery period, with physiological, cognitive, and physical performance outcomes assessed during recovery. |
| Plant-Based Protein Ready-to-Eat Meals | Active comparator | Other: Plant-Based Protein Ready-to-Eat MealsParticipants will consume plant-based protein ready-to-eat meals (RTEM) during this comparator condition. Meals will be designed to approximate the energy and macronutrient content of the pork-based condition, providing approximately 700-800 kcal, 80 g carbohydrate, 50 g protein, and 30 g fat per meal, with plant-based foods such as soy, tempeh, or tofu as the primary protein sources. Participants will consume the study-provided meals surrounding the simulated fire ground testing and recovery period, with the same physiological, cognitive, and physical performance outcomes assessed. |
| Carbohydrate-Focused Lower-Protein Control | Active comparator | Other: Carbohydrate-Focused Lower-Protein Ready-to-Eat MealsParticipants will consume carbohydrate-focused ready-to-eat meals during the control condition. This condition will provide a lower total daily protein intake of approximately 0.8 g/kg/day and will serve as a dietary control for comparison with the higher-protein pork-based and plant-based conditions. Participants will consume the study-provided meals surrounding the simulated fire ground testing and recovery period, with the same physiological, cognitive, and physical performance outcomes assessed. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 60 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (6 listed)
- 18 to 60 years of age
- Current trained male or female firefighter with the Fort Worth Fire Department
- Able to comply with all study procedures and the study timeline
- Willing to consume only the study-provided ready-to-eat meals (RTEM) during designated study periods
- Willing to refrain from alcohol, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), aspirin, and over-the-counter pain medications for 48 hours before testing sessions
Key exclusion criteria (9 listed)
- Younger than 18 years or older than 60 years
- Not a current firefighter with the Fort Worth Fire Department
- Pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant during the study
- Orthopedic or musculoskeletal limitations that prevent safe completion of the vertical jump or simulated fire ground test
- Use of weight-loss dietary supplements or medications within the previous 2 weeks
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Pork-Based Protein Ready-to-Eat MealsPork-Based Protein Ready-to-Eat Meals: Participants will consume study-provided ready-to-eat meals (RTEM) in which lean pork serves as the primary protein source. Meals are designed to provide approximately 700 - 800 kcal, 80 g carbohydrate, 50 g protein, and 30 g fat per meal, with total daily protein intake targeted at approximately 1.4-2.0 g/kg/day. Pork-based meals will be provided during the approximately 3-day experimental period surrounding the simulated fire ground test and subsequent recovery assessments. Meals are designed to match the energy and macronutrient content of the plant-based protein condition. | Other | Pork-Based Protein Ready-to-Eat Meals |
| Plant-Based Protein Ready-to-Eat MealsPlant-Based Protein Ready-to-Eat Meals: Participants will consume study-provided ready-to-eat meals (RTEM) in which plant-based foods serve as the primary protein source. Plant protein sources may include soy, tempeh, tofu, and other soy-based foods. Meals are designed to provide approximately 700 - 800 kcal, 80 g carbohydrate, 50 g protein, and 30 g fat per meal, with total daily protein intake targeted at approximately 1.4-2.0 g/kg/day. Plant-based meals will be provided during the approximately 3-day experimental period surrounding the simulated fire ground test and subsequent recovery assessments and will be matched as closely as feasible to the pork-based condition for energy and macronutrient content. | Other | Plant-Based Protein Ready-to-Eat Meals |
| Carbohydrate-Focused Lower-Protein Ready-to-Eat MealsCarbohydrate-Focused Lower-Protein Ready-to-Eat Meals: Participants will consume study-provided carbohydrate-focused ready-to-eat meals (RTEM) designed to provide a lower total daily protein intake of approximately 0.8 g/kg/day. This condition serves as the lower-protein dietary control for comparison with the pork-based and plant-based higher-protein conditions. Meals will be provided during the approximately 3-day experimental period surrounding the simulated fire ground test and subsequent recovery assessments. | Other | Carbohydrate-Focused Lower-Protein Control |
Primary outcome
Change in Testosterone and Cortisol
Time frame: Baseline, 24, 48, and 72 hours following the simulated fire ground test
Serum testosterone and cortisol concentrations will be measured to characterize anabolic and catabolic hormonal responses following the simulated fire ground test. Changes in testosterone, cortisol, and the testosterone-to-cortisol ratio will be compared across dietary conditions.
Change in Serum Creatine Kinase
Time frame: Baseline, 24, 48, and 72 hours following the simulated fire ground test
Serum creatine kinase (CK) concentration will be measured as a marker of muscle damage and recovery following the simulated fire ground test. Changes in CK will be compared across the pork-based protein, plant-based protein, and carbohydrate-focused lower-protein dietary conditions.
Change in Perceived Muscle Soreness
Time frame: Pre-fire ground test and 24, 48, and 72 hours of recovery
Participants will report perceived muscle soreness to characterize subjective recovery following the simulated fire ground test. Muscle soreness responses will be compared across dietary conditions.
Fire Ground Test Completion Time
Time frame: During each simulated fire ground test on Day 1 (baseline) and Day 4 (72 hour mark)
Total time required to complete the simulated fire ground test (FGT) will be recorded as a measure of occupational firefighting performance. The FGT consists of standardized firefighting-related tasks performed while wearing personal protective equipment and a self-contained breathing apparatus.
5 secondary outcomes
Change in Complete Blood Count With Differential
Time frame: Baseline, 24, 48, and 72 hours following the simulated fire ground test
Change in Comprehensive Metabolic Panel
Time frame: Baseline, 24, 48, and 72 hours following the simulated fire ground test
Food Satisfaction
Time frame: At Baseline, 24, 48, and 72 hours
Heart Rate During the Fire Ground Test
Time frame: During each simulated fire ground test on Day 1 (baseline) and Day 4 (72 hour mark)
Change in Vertical Jump Performance
Time frame: Pre-fire ground test on Day 1 and Day 4
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 15 Sep 2026.
- Background: PubMed 37800468Ferrando AA, Wolfe RR, Hirsch KR, Church DD, Kviatkovsky SA, Roberts MD, Stout JR, Gonzalez DE, Sowinski RJ, Kreider RB, Kerksick CM, Burd NA, Pasiakos SM, Ormsbee MJ, Arent SM, Arciero PJ, Campbell BI, VanDusseldorp TA, Jager R, Willoughby DS, Kalman DS, Antonio J. International Society of Sports Nutrition Position Stand: Effects of essential amino acid supplementation on exercise and performance. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2023 Dec;20(1):2263409. doi: 10.1080/15502783.2023.2263409. Epub 2023 Oct 6.
- Background: PubMed 35813846Gonzalez DE, McAllister MJ, Waldman HS, Ferrando AA, Joyce J, Barringer ND, Dawes JJ, Kieffer AJ, Harvey T, Kerksick CM, Stout JR, Ziegenfuss TN, Zapp A, Tartar JL, Heileson JL, VanDusseldorp TA, Kalman DS, Campbell BI, Antonio J, Kreider RB. International society of sports nutrition position stand: tactical athlete nutrition. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2022 Jun 23;19(1):267-315. doi: 10.1080/15502783.2022.2086017. eCollection 2022.
- Background: PubMed 40573107Gonzalez DE, Hines KE, Sowinski RJ, Estes L, Johnson SE, Chun J, Lee H, Leon S, Gil A, Ko J, Broeckel J, Barringer ND, Rasmussen CJ, Kreider RB. Effects of Pork Protein Ingestion Prior to and Following Performing the Army Combat Fitness Test on Markers of Catabolism, Inflammation, and Recovery. Nutrients. 2025 Jun 13;17(12):1995. doi: 10.3390/nu17121995.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Undecided. Individual participant data (IPD) will not be made publicly available. Requests for de-identified participant-level data may be considered on a case-by-case basis following publication of the primary study findings. Interested researchers may contact the corresponding author to inquire about data availability. Any sharing of data will be contingent upon the nature and purpose of the request, protection of participant confidentiality, applicable informed consent provisions, and approval or authorization as required by Sam Houston State University, the Institutional Review Board, the funding agency, and/or other applicable agreements or policies. Accordingly, a final determination regarding IPD sharing has not been made at this time.
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Stress Urinary Incontinence, Pelvic Organ Prolapse
Recruiting
Motor Learning in Health and Movement Disorders: Role of Physical Activity and Advanced Devices
Healthy Individuals (Controls), Parkinson Disease
Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
Drew E Gonzalez, PhD principal investigator
Sam Houston State University
2 sites in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Pork-Based Protein Ready-to-Eat Meals, Plant-Based Protein Ready-to-Eat Meals and Carbohydrate-Focused Lower-Protein Ready-to-Eat Meals in people with Exercise Recovery and Physical Performance Parameters, run by Sam Houston State University at 2 sites in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 6 inclusion and 9 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 15 Sep 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 2 sites in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Drew Edward Gonzalez, PhD (2107888616, drewgonzalez418@shsu.edu), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Change in Testosterone and Cortisol (time frame: Baseline, 24, 48, and 72 hours following the simulated fire ground test). The study lists 4 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07819565, which also lists 3 linked publications.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 15 Sep 2026.